Festival empresario reflects

[As published in July/August BayBuzz magazine.]

With the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival paused for 2024 and the position of Arts Inc Heretaunga’s Community Arts Development Manager & Arts Festival director Pitsch Leiser made redundant, we asked friend and colleague of Pitsch’s, Jamie Macphail, to have a chat with Pitsch.

Why establish an Arts Festival? 

When Pitsch first arrived in Hawke’s Bay, he quickly noticed a vibrant interest in the arts among its residents. Many locals had enjoyed national and international experiences in music, theatre, and the arts. Despite the popularity of events like the ballet and performances by the NZSO, the closure of the Opera House left a significant cultural void. Pitsch saw an opportunity to create something new – a regional arts festival that would resonate deeply with the community. 

“I saw that there was an audience for the arts here,” Pitsch explains. “People in Hawke’s Bay are passionate about culture, but there was a lack of consistent, high-quality arts programming. I wanted to fill that gap and bring something truly special to the region.” 

His idea was to bring the Famous Spiegeltent, a charming and intimate venue, to Hawke’s Bay. The Famous Spiegeltent, with its unique style and ambiance, provided the perfect setting to start a boutique arts festival. Pitsch conducted research and found that while Creative New Zealand didn’t spend much money in Hawke’s Bay, the locals’ support for the arts was higher than in many other regions. This indicated a strong potential audience for a festival. 

“I thought, why not create a festival that would not only entertain but also unite the community?” says Pitsch. “The Spiegeltent was the perfect catalyst for this vision, offering an extraordinary experience that people would remember.” 

What made you the right person for the job? 

Pitsch’s journey in the arts began long before the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival. In Auckland, he founded and managed the Galaxy Theatre, and ran some significant events, including the Pasifika Festival, the largest Polynesian festival in the world, as well as overseeing the delivery of the Lantern Festival, Diwali and the Auckland International Cultural Festival. Pitsch also started Auckland’s now iconic Music in Parks summer series. His role in these large-scale community festivals gave him invaluable experience in managing and programming major events. 

“I’ve always been drawn to events that bring people together,” Pitsch shares. “The International Street Entertainers Festival, which I started in 1990, was a game-changer for me. It showed me the power of arts and culture to transform spaces and engage communities.” 

His extensive network within the arts community, built through years of experience and collaboration, gave him the confidence to take on the challenge of starting a new festival in Hawke’s Bay. Pitsch’s ability to connect with artists, council members, funders and audiences alike, coupled with his unwavering enthusiasm, positioned him perfectly to spearhead this initiative. 

“My time at the Galaxy Theatre in Auckland was also pivotal,” Pitsch recalls. “It was a hub for all sorts of performances – dance, music, theatre, comedy. Founding and managing that venue honed my skills and prepared me for the multifaceted demands of running a festival.” 

How did the Festival evolve over the nine years? 

The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival began with a season of shows in the Famous Spiegeltent, creating a magical, popup experience that captivated the local audience. The tent, with its authentic 1920s design, provided an intimate and enchanting setting that became a hallmark of the festival’s early years. Over time, the festival grew in scale and ambition, attracting more significant acts and larger audiences.

“In our first year, we sold out 95% of our shows,” Pitsch proudly states. “We had this big display board of the whole programme out in front of the tent, and seeing the Sold Out stickers gradually cover almost the whole thing was such a thrill. That kind of response was overwhelming and showed us that there was a real hunger for this kind of event in Hawke’s Bay.” 

The festival’s evolution was marked by its ability to adapt and innovate. Each year, new elements were introduced, from unique, unexpected performance spaces to diverse artistic genres. By the ninth year, the festival had become a staple in the region’s cultural calendar, known for its eclectic mix of local, national, and international acts. 

“We started small but always had big dreams,” Pitsch says. “Expanding into new venues allowed us to reach more people and offer a wider range of performances. We always aimed to surprise and delight our audiences.” 

“In that first year, we reached between 6-7,000 people, all at ticketed shows. By the 9th year we reached over 32,000 people experiencing the festival, mainly through reaching out into the community and providing as many free shows as we possibly could.” 

“That’s evolution!” 

Tell me about your personal highlights? 

For Pitsch, the festival’s highlights are deeply personal and varied. One of the most memorable moments was the performance of “Limbo,” a show that blended circus, theatre, and music in a way that left audiences spellbound. The show’s success, with people still talking about it years later, epitomized the festival’s impact. 

“Limbo was a game-changer, it attracted a broader audience than previously seen at the Festival “ Pitsch recalls. “The audience’s reaction was phenomenal. People came back night after night, which was incredibly gratifying.” 

Another standout moment was working so closely with the late Puti Lancaster on five works over the years. “The Contours of Heaven,” a powerful solo performance by Ana Chaya Scotney, then a young graduate actor from Toi Whakaari, that explored themes of identity, culture, and belonging through the stories of six local youth. The show was commissioned by us for our festival and went on to win four awards at the Auckland Fringe Festival and as a result was picked up for performances at the Soho Theatre in New York, where it received critical acclaim and touched many audience members deeply. 

It was particularly meaningful for Pitsch to see such a profound and original work retelling the stories of six local rangatahi from Hastings, highlighting the talent and creativity present in Hawke’s Bay, performing in New York and absolutely worthy of a world stage.” It affirmed that we were not just bringing in talent but also fostering it right here at home.”

The sense of community the festival fostered was another highlight for Pitsch. Seeing diverse groups of people come together, share experiences, and celebrate the arts was profoundly rewarding. The festival’s ability to create shared moments and memories for the community was a constant source of joy for Pitsch.

“The Spiegeltent itself became a symbol of the festival’s magic,” Pitsch says. “Watching it come to life each year was a moment filled with anticipation and excitement.” 

“In terms of shows, it’s impossible to even make a short list of my favourites, we had so many extraordinary moments. I think, at the end of the day, my greatest thrills came from standing outside the Spiegeltent, or the Opera House, or in fact any venue, and seeing the looks on the faces as people poured out after a show. Awe. Wonder. Confusion. Absolute joy. Seeing those faces, hearing their comments … the best reward for me!”

Integral to the festival’s success was the team that Pitsch built around him. The remarkable partnership with Andy Heast and the dedicated group of individuals who worked tirelessly to bring the festival to life each year.

“Andy was way more than my right-hand man,” Pitsch reminisces. “His passion and commitment were invaluable. We built a team that was not just professional but also deeply connected to the festival’s mission and to each other. It was a family, and that camaraderie made the hard work so rewarding for us all.”

The team’s dedication and shared vision were critical to overcoming the challenges that came with organizing the festival. “We not only survived through Covid, we were the only region that managed to have two festivals during all the lockdowns and restrictions. And then, last year, navigating how best to go ahead following the cyclone. The collaborative spirit and support within the team created an environment where creativity and innovation could thrive.

“Every member of the team brought something unique to the table,” Pitsch says. “Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Together, we navigated obstacles and celebrated successes, always with the goal of delivering an unforgettable experience for our audience.

Your thoughts on the state of the Arts scene in Hawke’s Bay?

Pitsch expresses both optimism and concern. While there is a rich tapestry of artistic talent and a strong community, interest in the arts, challenges remain.

“Hawke’s Bay has an incredible pool of talent,” he notes. “The community’s passion for the arts is evident in the support we’ve seen for the festival and other events. However, there are still hurdles to overcome, especially in securing consistent funding and maintaining adequate venues.”

The reopening of the Opera House and development of the Toitoi complex has been a significant boost for the arts in the region, providing a high-quality venue for a wide range of performances. Pitsch is hopeful that this will help elevate the local arts scene even further.

However, Pitsch emphasizes the importance of continued support from both the community and funding bodies to sustain and grow the arts scene. He believes that collaborative efforts between artists, local government, and patrons are crucial for the future.

“It’s essential that we keep pushing for more investment in the arts,” Pitsch stresses. “Collaboration and community involvement are key. We need to ensure that the arts remain a vibrant and integral part of Hawke’s Bay’s identity.”

Pitsch’s dedication to the arts is unwavering, and his vision for a thriving, inclusive arts community in Hawke’s Bay remains a guiding light.

“I may be stepping back from the festival, but my passion for the arts and my belief in their power to transform lives will never fade,” Pitsch says with conviction. “Hawke’s Bay has a bright future, and I’m excited to see where the arts will take us next.”

“Of course it’s a bittersweet time for me, but I am so immensely proud of what we have created.”

I ask “And for you, Pitsch, what’s next?” All I get is a wink and “Watch this space!”